The bamboo in the little monk’s hand struck the Immortal Cultivator’s head. The cultivator uttered a muffled groan and closed his eyes as his body stiffened. He spurted another mouthful of blood before his rigid body collapsed to the ground.
Just like that, an Immortal Cultivator met his demise. Those who were standing around watched helplessly as he fell, and they couldn’t even stop the attack in time.
Then again, it was not that they couldn’t stop it in time, but because it was beyond their wildest expectations that even after heavily wounding the cultivator’s vital arteries, the little monk would mercilessly take his life in the next moment.
Was it not against the teachings of Buddha to kill? Why was this an exception?
Did he say he was not a monk? Our bodies, hair, and skin are gifts from our parents. Other than the disciples of Buddha, who has ever seen anyone with all their hair shaved off?
Nevertheless, this person had unfathomable powers and an eccentric temper. None of them dared to question his words again.
After all, if a cultivator offended someone more powerful than himself, the cultivator could be condemned and put to death at any moment. Nobody would question it, because in this world of immortal cultivators, the one who is powerful is respected and everything is a matter of strength.
“Does anyone else also want to learn a thing or two from me?” Tang Ning withdrew her bamboo as she glanced at the Immortal Cultivators.
“We wouldn’t dream of it,” said some of the cultivators while cupping their hands as a form of respect towards Tang Ning. After a short pause, an old man asked, “If I may ask your honor, how should we address you?”
Tang Ning glanced at them, then using the bamboo stick as her staff, she started to walk into the forest. Strolling at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow, she uttered her reply nonchalantly, loudly enough to reach their ears.
“Teacher Tang.”
Tang poem? Teacher Tang?[Both have the same pronunciation, Tang Shi]
Almost instinctively, they all had a consensus that the words Tang Ning uttered were the latter pair.
The cultivators did not stop Tang Ning from leaving, as she faded into the distance and disappeared from their sight. Instead, they looked at the corpse that lay in front of them and sighed softly.
“Afterall, he was once a comrade of ours. It is only right that we escort his body back.”
“I’m just afraid they won’t let this be,” another cultivator said. Glancing in the direction where the little monk had strolled away, he said, “He gave us his name. He is not afraid that we would take revenge.”
“This man’s capabilities are unthinkable. Goodness knows which faction of Buddhist teachings he comes from. He was ready to kill at the first stance, subduing his enemy in one move. Indeed, he kills without mercy. I suppose that as he said, that he is not a Buddhist disciple.”
Everyone remained silent as they listened. They were also speculating that the little monk was not a Buddhist disciple. Other than his bald head, nothing else about his appearance or mannerisms resembled a monk.
Meanwhile, the unfathomable little monk they spoke of struggled to maintain a front. The moment Tang Ning was sure no one else was in the vicinity, she spurted out fresh blood. She dropped to the ground and leaned against a big tree, catching her breath.
“That was a close call! If I had taken on another one of them, I would’ve blown my cover,” Tang Ning muttered while wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth.
Blackie, who was perched on her shoulder, was about to say something when his eyes suddenly darted sideways. He looked at a dark figure that had suddenly appeared in front of Tang Ning like a ghostly apparition.
Tang Ning instantly thought the Immortal Cultivators had caught up with her and grabbed her bamboo stick. She was about to stand up when she glanced at the figure in front of her. It was none other than the demon. The demon who wore a ghostly mask despite having a stunning looking face.
“Hah, benefactor, this is our third encounter. I’m beginning to think that your fate is not with Buddha, but with me instead.”
It must surely be a sinful fate.